Mount Marty University

Mount Marty Claims Catholic Cup Trophy in High-Scoring 49–35 Victory Over Briar Cliff

YANKTON, S.D. — In an explosive, high-scoring Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchup, the Mount Marty Lancers (2–0, 1–0) earned a hard-fought 49–35 victory over rival Briar Cliff Chargers (0–2, 0–1) to secure the Catholic Cup Trophy.

Led by an efficient offense that generated 515 total yards and a disruptive defensive front, the Lancers held off a furious fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Chargers.

Key Game Highlights

• Ryken's Masterclass: Mount Marty quarterback Rugby Ryken put on a dominant dual-threat performance, completing 22-of-27 passes for 372 yards and 5 touchdowns, while adding 68 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Ryken finished responsible for all 7 Lancer touchdowns.

• Playmaker Duo: Receiver Jordan Anderson was Ryken's primary big-play target, hauling in 10 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown (including a clutch 63-yard touchdown catch in the 4th quarter). Receiver Moshe Richmond provided the ultimate red-zone threat, catching 6 passes for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with a 2-point conversion.

• Furious Fourth-Quarter Rally: Trailing 34–14 entering the final quarter, Briar Cliff's quarterback Brock Saya(23-of-42, 366 passing YDS, 4 TDs) connected with Kymani Fleurme (8 REC, 170 YDS, 3 TDs) for back-to-back fourth-quarter touchdowns, cutting Mount Marty's lead to just 34–28.

• Closing it Out: Up by 6 with under eight minutes left, Ryken hit Anderson for a 63-yard score to regain control. After Briar Cliff answered once more, Ryken sealed the victory with a 9-yard touchdown run with 4:08 left on the clock.

Wilson Headlines Defensive Effort

Mount Marty's defense set the tone at the line of scrimmage, generating 5 sacks for 31 yards and 9 tackles for loss.

Leading the way was senior linebacker David "DJ" Wilson, whose stellar play earned him GPAC Defensive Player of the Week honors:

• Tackles: 10 total (5 solo, 5 assisted)

• Tackles for Loss: 1.0 TFL (3 yards)

• Impact: Led the team in total tackles, anchoring a defense that held Briar Cliff to just 75 net rushing yards (2.4 yards per carry).

Team Stat Comparison

Scoring Breakdown

• 1st Quarter:

  • MMU: Rugby Ryken 1-yd rush TD (Vance kick) — 0–7

  • BCU: Brock Saya 4-yd pass to Kymani Fleurme TD (Torring kick) — 7–7

• 2nd Quarter:

  • MMU: Rugby Ryken 4-yd pass to Kyle Hirsch TD (Vance kick) — 7–14

  • MMU: Rugby Ryken 4-yd pass to Moshe Richmond TD (Vance kick) — 7–21

  • BCU: Brock Saya 2-yd rush TD (Torring kick) — 14–21

• 3rd Quarter:

  • MMU: Rugby Ryken 4-yd pass to Moshe Richmond TD (Vance kick) — 14–28

  • MMU: Rugby Ryken 49-yd pass to Moshe Richmond TD (Kick failed) — 14–34

• 4th Quarter:

  • BCU: Brock Saya 28-yd pass to Kymani Fleurme TD (Torring kick) — 21–34

  • BCU: Brock Saya 15-yd pass to Kymani Fleurme TD (Torring kick) — 28–34

  • MMU: Rugby Ryken 63-yd pass to Jordan Anderson TD (Richmond 2pt pass good) — 28–42

  • BCU: Brock Saya 22-yd pass to Dyson Fay TD (Torring kick) — 35–42

  • MMU: Rugby Ryken 9-yd rush TD (Vance kick) — 35–49